Hiking

The Timberline Campground, near Kenosha Pass, is about 7 miles southwest of the small town of Grant. The abundance of aspens at the site creates impressive fall scenery along the forested hillside. Wildlife in the area includes golden eagles, elk, mule deer, moose, chipmunks and porcupines.

The family campsites are divided into two loops, that are separated by a rise. Both loops sit among a stand of aspen, spruce and lodgepole pines along Hoosier Creek. The campground sits at an altitude of 9,700 feet and features mild summer temperatures and cool nights.

O’Haver Campground, located on the shores of O’Haver Lake, attracts many campers for fishing, bird watching and canoeing on the calm, pleasant lakes. During peak season, interpretive programs are offered most weekends. Nearby mountain biking and hiking opportunities are also available. 

Campers can venture on a trip to part of the popular Colorado Trail. The multi-purpose trail extends for 487 miles from Denver to Durango, with altitude variations ranging from 5,500 to 13,300 feet.

Campsites have limited understory and sites are situated close to one another. O’Haver sits at an elevation of 9,200 feet, in a forest of ponderosa pine and aspen. 

Ponderosa pines provide a fresh vanilla scent in the mountain air and aspens please visitors with golden foliage displays in autumn. Nearby O’Haver Lake spans 15 acres.

Picturesque White Star Campground lies at the foot of massive Mt. Elbert, among fragrant ponderosa pines. The campground provides convenient access to Twin Lakes Reservoir for plenty of water recreation opportunities.

It also works as a base camp for hikers and mountain bikers who love to explore nearby trails such the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail and the Mount Elbert Trail.

The campground, at an elevation of 9,200 feet, sits on the north side of the Twin Lakes Reservoir near the base of Mount Elbert.The Twin Lakes Reservoir spans 2,805 acres and Mount Elbert stands tall at 14,433 feet. 

Nearby is the Mount Massive Wilderness area, a stretch of 30,540 acres that encompass Mount Massive, Colorado’s highest peak at 14,421 feet. Much of the wilderness is above timberline with many alpine plant communities and permanent snowfields.

Cove Campground is a small, primitive campground ideal for anglers and rock climbers, nestled in the Eleven Mile Canyon along the South Platte River.

Kenosha Pass Campground is a small, conveniently-located campground heralded by backpackers on the Colorado Trail and by those looking for a scenic, mountain family getaway. 

Across the road from the campground entrance is the Kenosha Pass Interpretive Area, with an accessible interpretive trail showcasing wetlands and remnants of the South Park and Pacific Railroad. 

Kenosha Pass, the campground’s namesake, is one of the nation’s highest mountain passes, weaving over the spine of the Front Range from Jefferson to Grant. The route provides one of the primary access points to South Park, and boasts tremendous views of Mount Evans and Mount Bierstadt.

At a 10,000 foot elevation, the region is commonly referred to as the High Country. Campsites are situated among lodgepole pine and aspen trees. Summer temperature are generally mild and cool, but the high elevation may cause very chilly nights.

Pike Community is a group campground located about 6 miles north of Woodland Park in central Colorado. It is a popular choice for of all ages, complete with a baseball field, playground, sand volleyball court and a horseshoe pit. Campers enjoy nearby access to hiking and biking trails.

Located within a ponderosa pine forest, the campground is nestled in a ponderosa pine forest at an elevation of 7,700 feet.

Purgatoire Campground is nestled near the headwaters of the Purgatoire River in the beautiful Culebra Range of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. The primitive campground is laid out on two loops. One is a large grassy meadow with sites that accommodate equestrian campers and one that is wooded with aspen and spruce. The access road is very rough and is not suitable for low-clearance trailers. 

Constructed by the Youth Conservation Corp in 1976, Purgatoire was originally named Potato Patch Campground. The river provides nice fishing and a trailhead attracts hikers and horseback riders.

The campground is in an aspen and conifer forest near the North Fork River at an elevation of 9,800 feet. The river, also known as the Purgatoire River, flows 196 miles to the confluence of the Arkansas River. 

Pike-San Isabel National Forest includes over a million acres of wilderness and over half of Colorado’s mountain peaks that reach above 14,000 feet.

Aspen Campground is an excellent place for campers looking to relax, hike, fish and enjoy the sounds of nature. The campground sits near Jefferson Creek, a few miles downriver of Jefferson Lake. The lake is one of the highest elevation lakes around, capping 10,685 feet elevation and bordered by steep 12,000 foot peaks Fishing in both the creek and lake offer promising catches of trout. Another noteworthy aspect of the campground is its access to the Colorado Trail.

Silver Dollar Campground is situated near the eastern shore of Turquoise Lake in the shade of a lodgepole pine and subalpine fir forest. The family-friendly campground is a popular summer destination for boating, hiking and fishing.

Campsites are nestled in the forest within walking distance of the scenic lakeshore at 10,000 feet in elevation. The Mount Massive Wilderness Area is nearby. The 30,540-acre expanse encompasses Mount Massive, Colorado’s second highest peak at 14,421 feet. Much of the wilderness is above timberline with many alpine plant communities and permanent snowfields.

Southside Campground is a small RV facility situated in the Wet Mountains by Lake Isabel. The popular recreation area offers a selection of hiking trails and great fishing and paddle boating on Lake Isabel. 

Lake Isabel was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the late 1930s, for the purpose of recreation.The 40-acre lake is stocked with trout and the nearby St. Charles Creek offers additional fishing opportunities.

Aspen and ponderosa pine help shade the campground. Lake Isabel impresses visitors with a shoreline that meets the rocky base of the surrounding mountains at an elevation of 8,600 feet. 

The Pike and San Isabel National Forest includes over a million acres of wilderness and over half of Colorado’s mountain peaks that reach above 14,000 feet.

Alvarado Campground, located at an elevation of 9,000 ft., is a prime location for accessing easy to challenging hikes in the Sangre de Cristo Wilderness. The variety of trails lead to high elevation lakes, picturesque waterfalls, and a number of stunning scenic overlooks. Alvarado is designed for a range of campers, with facilities for tent, RV and equestrian campers. 

Pike-San Isabel National Forests include over a million acres of wilderness and over half of Colorado’s mountain peaks that reach above 14,000 feet.

Alvarado is perched on the side of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains among sweet smelling ponderosa pine, aspen, lodgepole and gambel oak trees. Some sites offer views of the Wet Mountain Valley below while others sit beside Alvarado Creek. 

The campground is within reach of the Sangre de Cristo Wilderness, which spans 226,455 acres with 60 alpine lakes, 400 miles of streams and over 400 miles of trails to explore.

Large aspen stands visible in the area today are a result of heavy controlled fires set in the early 1900’s to clear pasture land, expose minerals and produce charcoal.

May Queen Campground is located at the far western end of Turquoise Lake in a shaded lodgepole pine forest. Conveniently perched near the Charles Boustead Memorial Tunnel, May Queen offers easy access to boating, fishing and hiking. 

Incredible views of the Holy Cross and Mount Massive Wildernesses can be seen from the area, and visitors are likely to see native wildlife like chipmunks, beavers and porcupines. 

The Charles Boustead Memorial Tunnel is a 5.5-mile tunnel that transports water from the Fryingpan and Roaring Fork River Basins through the Continental Divide to the Arkansas River Basin by emptying water into Turquoise Lake.

The campground sits at an elevation of 9,900 ft. on Turquoise Lake. Most campsites are situated on a level, open field along a creek, feeding into the lake. Six first come-first, serve-sites are perched on the wooded hillside above the creek. 

Nearby is the Mount Massive Wilderness area, a 30,540 acre expanse encompassing Mount Massive, Colorado’s second highest peak at 14,421 feet. Much of the wilderness is above timberline with many alpine plant communities and permanent snowfields.

La Vista Campground is situated in a meadow overlooking the west side of the 40-acre Lake Isabel. It is set along the Frontier Pathways and Historic Byway in the Wet Mountains along one of the Colorado Birding Trails. 

Lake Isabel is one of the few lakes in Colorado developed purely for recreation purposes. Built by the Civilian Conservation Corps, the lake attracts many campers who come to hike, canoe, fish and spend time bird watching. St. Charles Creek flows near the campground and offers additional fishing opportunities.

Shady pine and aspen trees are scattered throughout the campground. At 8,600 feet, the area enjoys cool summer days, a welcome relief from the heat in the plains far below. 

The Pike and San Isabel National Forest includes over a million acres of wilderness and over half of Colorado’s mountain peaks that reach above 14,000 feet.

Named after the “unsinkable” Molly Brown on the Titanic, Molly Brown Campground, on the eastern shore of Turquoise Lake, sits in a shaded lodgepole pine forest. The campground is ideal for enjoying the popular recreation lake and offers access to boating, fishing, hiking and water skiing. 

The famous Molly Brown lived in the town of Leadville, just 5 miles east of the campground. She became wealthy from her husband’s mining success and took on a life as a philanthropist, socialite and activist.

Campsites are perched along the scenic waters of the lake. Nearby is the Mount Massive Wilderness area, a 30,540 acre stretch of forest land which encompasses Colorado¿s second highest peak, Mount Massive at 14,421 feet. Much of the wilderness is above timberline with many alpine plant communities and permanent snowfields.

The beautiful Spruce Grove campground is positioned beside large rock outcroppings on Tarryall Creek. Magnificent hiking trails to the Lost Creek Wilderness Area are just steps away from the Creek Bridge. Located just 14 miles outside Lake George, Colorado, the area’s wild inhabitants include black bear, mule deer, elk, bighorn sheep and bobcats.

Located about 10 miles from the town of Woodland Park, Colorado, Meadow Ridge Campground is pleasantly situated on a ridge above the Rampart Reservoir. Here, campers have access to prime fishing and a selection of mountain biking and hiking trails. 

The campground is in the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains, due north of the popular Pikes Peak. The peak has an altitude of 14,110 feet and was first climbed in 1820. Its claim to fame is that it is America’s easternmost peak over 14,000 feet.

Sitting in a ponderosa pine forest at 9,200 feet, the 19-site campground overlooks the Rampart Reservoir. The surrounding terrain includes a mix of grass meadows, spruce, Douglas fir and aspen.

South Meadows campground, located 5 miles north of Woodland Park, provides a scenic spot for campers to rest and enjoy the many recreational offerings of the area. The campground attracts avid hikers and bikers with access to the multipurpose Centennial Trail, as well as visitors looking for a central location for day trips to Pikes Peak and the Garden of the Gods. 

Garden of the Gods is a National Natural Landmark in Colorado Springs, featuring incredible rock formations, impressive vistas and a free visitor and nature center.

Campsites are tucked in a stand of ponderosa pines at an elevation of 8,000 feet. To the east is Mount Deception and to the north is the 5-acre Manitou Lake. Afternoon thunderstorms are common in summer months and temperatures are generally mild, with warm and pleasant days and cooler nights.

Blue Mountain Campground sits between Eleven Mile Canyon with the South Platte River to the north and the peak of Blue Mountain to the south, creating an impressive location for recreation and diverse scenery. The campground is primitive and quiet, creating a peaceful outdoor experience for guests. Hiking, biking, rock climbing in the canyon and trout fishing in the river are popular pastimes.

Ponderosa Group Campground, located near the sparkling 40-acre Lake Isabel, beckons large groups for picnicking and camping in the Lake Isabel Recreation Area. 

The campground accommodates 61-120 guests for day-use ($150 day use fee) and 60 guests for overnight camping. Visitors can enjoy entertainment like volleyball and horseshoes, or head to the lake for canoeing and fishing. 

Lake Isabel is one of the few lakes in Colorado developed solely for recreational purposes. Built by the Civilian Conservation Corps, the lake attracts many campers who come to hike, canoe, fish and spend time bird watching. St. Charles Creek flows near the campground and offers additional fishing opportunities.

Shady pine and aspen trees are scattered throughout the campground. The shoreline of Lake Isabel meets the rocky base of sweeping mountains at an elevation of 8,600 feet. At 8,600 feet the area enjoys cool summer days, a welcome relief from the heat in the plains far below.

The Pike and San Isabel National Forest includes over a million acres of wilderness and over half of Colorado’s mountain peaks that reach above 14,000 feet.

Nestled among aspen and tall Douglas fir trees, St. Charles Campground is in a quiet part of the Lake Isabel Recreation Area. Located on the banks of St. Charles Creek, the campground is popular with campers who enjoy the sounds of water tumbling through the shaded boulders.

The campground sits a mile west of Lake Isabel in the Wet Mountains, a beautiful range in the San Isabel National Forest. At an elevation of 8,600 feet, Lake Isabel was designed and constructed in the 1930s as a recreational haven from the dusty plains far below. Rugged mountain peaks in the area provide water for the abundant wildlife and fish populations.